When carrying out repairs in an apartment, the plumbing communications, which contain taps and valves, are often replaced . The security of the residents of neighboring apartments will depend on how correctly the choice of these elements is made. When installing substandard or counterfeit products, there is always a risk of flooding.
In order to avoid mistakes when buying plumbing elements, you need to find out their main functions and purposes.
Responsible for the supply of water in the bathroom and in the kitchen may be the most common and reliable ball valves for water supply. This type gradually displaces previously used wedge-shaped valves, conical and cylindrical cranes. This type is used in systems not only water, but also gas and oil pipelines. They are so versatile that they have found application in almost all related areas.
Scopes of spherical elements:
- transportation through pipelines of various liquids: oil, oil products, solutions in industry;
- heating and water supply;
- gas pipeline;
- wastewater;
- fire hydrants.
Design
Ball valves for water supply began to be used more than 100 years ago in Europe.
In the photo - a modern ball valve brand STOUT ( ), combining in its design all the advanced technical solutions and innovative materials.
Until today, such a crane remains the only such device combining reliability and simplicity of design. An aspen element is a locking mechanism, which consists of a conventional ball with an opening blocking the flow of water. It can move at an angle of 90 degrees and regulate the flow of water or its overlap. The hole that is in the ball can be of various shapes - from oval to rectangular. But its size depends on the diameter of the pipe and the direct purpose of the crane.
Water supply occurs when the hole in the ball is turned parallel to the pipe, the flow is blocked if the hole is perpendicular.
But the ball can be placed in several ways:
- in simple devices, for small volumes - floating;
- in large cranes - on special supports.
Ball Parts
This indispensable device in plumbing consists of the following elements:
- housing;
- a pen;
- nut;
- stock;
- stuffing box seal for a rod;
- shutter ball;
- Seal for ball seat type.
Ball valves for water can be made in the body of brass. It is considered good in quality, but it all depends on what percentage of this substance contains the alloy. The outer part is made of nickel to prevent possible oxidation.
The handle can be steel with a nickel overlay on which a small amount of polyvinyl chloride is applied.
The self-locking nut, which has steel ball valves, is also made of steel coated with chrome.
Nickel-plated brass is also used to make the stem. But its seal is heat-resistant Teflon. Some models have a special composition of butadiene rubber. A brass ball is made from brass coated in this way, and heat-resistant Teflon is used as a seal.
Ball Element Advantages
When choosing valves in plumbing, the choice of such a design may be due to the following advantages:
- reliability;
- simplicity of design;
- ease of use (simple turn of the handle);
- simple installation, which can not even be done by a professional;
- resistance to corrosion;
- high tightness;
- high wear resistance;
- good profitability.
Kinds
Choosing the right crane will help knowledge of their varieties. They are classified by installation method.
Socket ball valves for water are designed for pipes whose diameter does not exceed 45 mm. Due to its compact size, this faucet is securely fixed to any type of system, from heating to water.
Spherical flange valves for water supply is used in larger diameter products.
In their installation, the use of gaskets is mandatory, which can increase the strength of the connection and its tightness. This type has gained great popularity in gas and oil pipelines. All thanks to the fact that it is able to withstand high pressure. Nipple ball valves are indispensable in areas such as the food and chemical industries. All due to the fact that such an element can be mounted several times.
Another type of ball valve is welded. From the name it is clear that it is attached with an integral connection - welding. The dismantling of such an element is excluded, therefore, its use is justified only in the construction industry.
The most common form is full-bore coupling ball valves. They have found application in most fields of activity. All thanks to a simple way to block the flow in the pipes - just turn the knob. This is the type of crane that can be found in household systems. But for industrial use steel ball valves. The material allows you to perform tasks in extreme conditions.
Ball valve, the types of which are divided, regardless of the diameter, into full bore and partial bore, have their own differences. How do the elements differ? To do this, you need to consider in more detail the design of each type.
Full bore coefficient
In full bore devices, the diameter of the holes in the nozzles that connect to it does not narrow. But for non-bore holes, the size of the hole in the ball is lower than in the flange. Due to this, the metal consumption is reduced. The effort required to control the fittings is also reduced. The coefficient of resistance to hydraulic forces in partial bore is much higher than in similar full bore cranes.
Benefits of full bore elements:
- Full bore ball valves have a small coefficient of resistance to hydraulic loads;
- pressure loss is excluded;
- reduced load on the locking element;
- durability;
Even despite a large number of pluses, full bore ball valves also have disadvantages:
- high mass of the product;
- high cost.
An incomplete bore ball element has several features in its structure.
The passage in it can be narrowed symmetrically on both sides or not. An asymmetric crane of this kind can only be installed in the direction of movement of the work flow. Moreover, the symmetric one does not depend on these conditions.
Partial bore elements may vary in construction length, overlap and permeability. It is the latter meaning that plays a big role. The rest will depend on him. By reducing the diameter of the cross, you can reduce production costs, but at the same time, the hydraulic resistance will increase. Therefore, you need to decide in advance which is preferable and whether the pressure value matters.
Plastic ball products
For the manufacture of non-metallic valves, the following materials are used: polypropylene and polyethylene. This design eliminates the appearance of corrosion of any kind. This equipment is mounted in those places where there is a flow with an aggressive environment. The disadvantage may be the inability to use in heating systems and hot water - such an environment adversely affects the material of the product.
Proper operation
Any equipment, if installed correctly and used carefully, will last beyond the due time.
Ball valves for water are subject to long-term operation for several years. There are some tips for this:
- It is forbidden to independently increase the length of the handle, use only the one that was originally given;
- necessarily match the threads of the tap and pipe;
- the connection must not be allowed to drag, otherwise the closure device case may be deformed;
- when installing the crane in an environment with known pollution, it is better to put a protective net in front of the device.
Installation
The ball valve, which can be installed independently, is mounted under the following conditions:
- the place for installation should be chosen so that there is no interference with the rotation of the handle;
- The diameter of the ball valve must be compatible with the diameter of the pipe;
- correctly position the tap, depending on the flow of water, the device should have a sign in the form of an arrow;
- at the junction, you can wrap a special sealant or tow in the direction of the thread, this will protect against possible leaks;
- at the end of the installation, check the tap for leaks and empty the water.
Dismantling
Eternal details do not exist, so any plumbing device sooner or later fails and needs to be replaced.
Malfunctions in elements such as ball valves for water supply can be caused by a blockage in the space between the gasket and the ball, as well as the fact that the rubber gasket itself fails.
Disassemble the connection of the element with the pipe as follows:
- shut off water;
- unscrew the screw that holds the rotation handle;
- remove the rotation lever;
- unscrew a part of the threaded tap with a screwdriver, do this clockwise;
- remove the dome of the crane using pliers, along with this, remove the plastic element;
- inspect the ball, if it is damaged, then replace with a new one;
- Replace obsolete and damaged gaskets;
- when troubleshooting, assemble the device by following the steps in reverse order.
How to determine that the repair was successful. This will be evidenced by the fact that the crane copes well with its functions, does not allow liquid to pass through and is able to regulate its flow.
Cost
Ball valves, the price of which depends on several values, can be expensive or cheap.
Price parameters depend on:
- material;
- body thickness;
- the quality of the shutter ball;
- tightness of a sealant;
- intended use;
- company fame.
Price examples:
Giacomini ball valve full bore R850 1 "BP / BP DN25 PN28, Tmax = 185 ° C, chrome plated - price 550 rubles. Genebre full bore DN25 PN25 G 1 HP / BP Tmax = 180˚C - price 562 rubles.
Ball valve R850 3/4 "BP / BP DN20 PN35, Tmax = 185˚, chrome plated - price 368 rubles. These were examples of the simplest elements that are used everywhere for domestic purposes. But there are ball valves, the price of which is much higher. Broen Ballomax f / f KShT 11s10ft60.003.080 DN 80 Ru 16 lightweight - 4082 rubles Broen Ballomax f / f KShT 61.103.125 Du 125 Ru 16 with a handle (61.103.125h1) - price 17922 rubles Naturally, such products are not intended for cottages and gardens, and are used exclusively for industrial purposes.
Genebre full bore DN40 PN25 G 1 1/2 BP / BP max. 180˚C (302908) - 1,106 rubles.
Advice
When buying, be sure to pay attention to the material of the product. Well, if it will be brass.
In no case should you make a choice in favor of a silumin crane. Such a product will not have sufficient reliability, since the material itself simply can not withstand operational loads. You can distinguish a silumin product from a brass one by weight.
Coming to buy, you can get confused in the variety. It must be remembered that in appearance the manufacturer has already designated all the devices. If it is a tap with a “butterfly” or a yellow handle, then it is for a gas pipeline. But if the devices have different colors, then this is for the plumbing and heating system. However, often some craftsmen put products for the gas pipeline for watering themselves. They explain this by the fact that these products are more reliable and better made than their counterparts designed for water. And the cost of these devices is several times more, so it’s worth considering.
Pressure
Not the last role is played by such an indicator as working pressure. This limit value is usually indicated on the label. For household cranes, this figure should be at least 16 atmospheres.
So, we have found out what full-bore coupling ball valves are for and where they are used.